Four-time champion Roger Federer will play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for a place in the Australian Open semi-finals.

The Swiss maestro was in ruthless form against the big-serving Raonic, cruising through to set-up a mouth-watering last eight encounter with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Federer claimed a timely break of Raonic's monster serve in the 10th game to sneak through a tight opening set in 33 minutes.

Raonic's serve held firm in the second set, as did Federer's, as they moved into a tie-breaker, where the Swiss prevailed.

Montenegro-born Raonic dropped his first two service games of the third set and Federer, imperious on serve, swiftly powered through to yet another quarter-final.

On his clash with Tsonga, Federer said: "He is a good guy with a great game, he is a great shot-maker and a great character for the game."

Tsonga, the No 7 seed, won more than 80 per cent of his points on his first serve en route to a 6-4 3-6 6-3 6-2 victory over French compatriot Richard Gasquet earlier in the day.

Tsonga, who beat Gasquet during his charge to the final in Melbourne in 2008, also smashed 37 winners as he overcame the ninth seed.

Tsonga says his new coach Roger Rasheed - who he hired last last year - is making a difference.

"It's great because he's always positive," Tsonga said. "He wants to win maybe even more than me. He's incredible. I try to be at his level and have exactly the same motivation because I think he can move some mountains because he's very motivated."

Tsonga is joined in the quarter-finals by fellow Frenchman Jeremy Chardy after the world No 36 edged out Andreas Seppi.

Chardy had never made it past the fourth round of a grand slam, however he recovered to beat the Italian 5-7 6-3 6-2 6-2 to earn a crack at Andy Murray.

"It's just like a dream," the 25-year-old said. "I know I can beat everybody. So when I feel confident, I believe in me. Against Del Potro, I played a very good match. So it was good for my head."